Medication risk mitigation system and method

Abstract

A medication risk mitigation method utilizing three interventions: a prospective intervention performed by a prescriber, a concurrent intervention performed by a pharmacist and a retroactive intervention performed by a pharmacist. At each intervention, the system of the instant invention utilizes a computer program to compare each prescribed medication to a series of intrinsic and extrinsic data sources in order to identify potential contraindications and, if necessary, modify a prescription. The system also permits secure messaging between prescribers and pharmacists, each with access to the computer program, so as to facilitate communication and reduce medication risks. The system of this invention also permits modeling for hypothetical medication modifications based on the same intrinsic and extrinsic data sources.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 920,052, filed Dec. 23, 2013.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates in general to computer implemented medication risk management and, more specifically, reducing the likelihood of patient harm arising from prescribed medications.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Patients routinely take one or more prescribed medications to treat illnesses. The pandemic of medication-related morbidity and mortality and the increasing rate and cost of medication-induced injuries is also well known in the art. Patients and society are burdened by emergency room visits and hospitalizations that often result from misadventures with prescription medications. Fortunately, disparate data sources provide useful insights into the interactions between two or more medications. Other data sources, referred to herein as intrinsic components, include personalized information ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method for managing a patient's medication regime to mitigate risks associated with prescribed medications. The method includes an initializing step, a concurrent intervention and a retrospective intervention. The method involves receiving a medication input from a prescriber, comparing it to various data sources to check for contraindications, and making any necessary modifications to the medication. The resulting prescribed medications or revised prescribed medications are then dispensed by a pharmacist. The technical effects of the invention include reducing the risk of medication-related harm, improving treatment efficacy, and promoting patient safety.

Problems solved by technology

Patients and society are burdened by emergency room visits and hospitalizations that often result from misadventures with prescription medications.

Currently, prescribers and pharmacists are unable to combine intrinsic and extrinsic components in a way that provides meaningful interventions with adequate procedures in place to avoid not only harmful interactions between two or more drugs, but also see potential harms related to other intrinsic components that may be patient-specific.

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